The Best Way To Treat Ich???????????

[phishman1]

Well, I have just about had it with this salt thing. Tried it, love it but just can't beat it.
A few months ago I somehow developed ich, 3 fish died and I left the tank fish free, only inverts for 30 days.
Then did the hospital tank thing, (yes, I know I should have done this before!!). Put in a Maroon Clown, and a Royal Gramma, plus usual assortment of cleaners etc. 35 gallon flat back hex.
So for the past 3 months the tank was perfect, water checks everyother day because the tank is small, and water just right.
So bought a yellow/brown tang. Put him in hospital tank for 1 week, checked him very closely, acclimated him into main tank. And within 4 days, spots!!!!!!!, 2nd day so bad he was stuck between a rock and covered. Took him out, put back in hospital tank and he died later that night.
Now I see the Royal Gramma has developed it around his head and fins, Clown seems fine, and another Atlantic Tang seems fine too but we all know whats coming!
My question is this:
- Can I do a fresh water dip with a copper solution for the ich
- Or best to take the fish out and put them all in 10 gallon hospital tank for a while? If so, how long. And catching them all is a pain in the rump.
Will the dip take care of it? I understand that ich always is in tank but usually won't bother fish under healthy water conditions which I thought I had.
I am frustrated and about to give it up....its like throwing money down the drain, I have done everything by the book and now this again!!
Sorry to whine but its frustrating!!
thanks,
Jim

 

[beth]

Yep, frustrating. However, there are ways to keep this sort of thing from happening that are near fullproof.
The dips, etc., you are suggesting won't really do the job. 10 gal tank? How many fish and how big are they? Do you have LR, LS in your main tank? What inverts do you have? There may be a way to treat your fish in the main tank, rather than in a 10 gal if you have a FO tank. Perhaps you can move the inverts to the 10gal?
Hyposalinity is the correct treatment for ich. When QTing new fish, it is best to keep fish in QT for 1 month, or, at least, 3 wks. You can also do some preventative, and safe treatment for ich using hyposalinity while new fish are in QT---even if fish are not symptomatic.